Enugu APC disowns gov Ugwuanyi’s new commissioner as its member

THE Enugu State Chapter of the All progressives Congress (APC) has disowned  Peter Okonkwo, who was recently appointed as Commissioner in Enugu State by Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), saying he was no longer a member of the party before his current appointment .

It could be recalled that the name of Peter, an elder brother of Kenneth, a popular Nollywood actor and strong critic of Ugwuanyi’s government, was confirmed as Commissioner  by members of the State House of Assembly last Tuesday.

Reacting to the development at the weekend in Enugu, during a “get together” ceremony organized by the 17 APC candidates in the last  local government election, the state chairman of the party, Dr. Ben Nwoye, said for record purposes, “Barrister Peter Okonkwko, (Ohamedike) has since gone away from the APC, long time ago”.

Dr Nwonye explained, the Commissioner designate use to be one of us, and was a member of the APC constitution drafting sub committee during its formation. He joined the party from the All progressives Grand Alliance ( APGA )

According to him, Okonkwo, worked openly for former president, Goodluck Jonathan  and governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi  during the 2015 general polls, and has never pretended over his disposition to the PDP.

“Even as a member of APC, Barrister Okonkwo was always wearing PDP uniform with Governor Ugwuanyi’s photograph boldly inscribed on it. This clarification became necessary, so that members of the public will know that the man is not a member of APC as being reported in the media.

Nwoye, who applauded the APC candidates in the November 4, 2017 local government poll for organizing the weekend social event, especially for the 260 Councillorship candidates, vowed that the party will not rest on its oars until  it wrest power from the PDP in 2019.

The Coordinating chairman of the local government candidates and flag bearer of Udi council area, Professor Martin Ike Muonso, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said despite the fact that the PDP allegedly stole their mandates during the  election, they are fully committed and resolute in sending  the ruling party packing in next political dispensation.

He explained that the essence of inviting all the 260 Councillorship candidates in the election under one roof, was to review the council polls, as well as  encourage each other not to give up in the  political fight despite the fact that they suffered serious harassment and intimidation by alleged political thugs engaged by the ruling PDP during the council polls.

Professor  Munoso who described what transpired on November 4, 2017 in the name of  local government election in the state  as a “broad day political robbery by the PDP, appealed to the APC leadership in the state not to  relent in assisting the party’s candidates in the election  to get justice at the end.

He said they came together as a one strong and united family to solidify and rub minds together, saying “this is the beginning of a battle that we are very sure that we will win in 2019.